Hindus, indigenous faith believers may share crematoria, Meghalaya High Court is told

The Hindu

2 days ago

GUWAHATI
Hindus and adherents of indigenous faiths among two ethnic groups in Meghalaya are closer to an agreement on sharing common crematoria, the High Court of Meghalaya has been told.
The court, however, has sought more meetings with the stakeholders for a closure to the controversy over sharing a common space by communities that bury their dead.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh also underscored the dearth of space for burial, necessitating common cemeteries for members of all denominations of Christians in the hill State.
About 75% of the population in Meghalaya, dominated by the matrilineal Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia communities, are Christians belonging primarily to the Catholic, Presbyterian and Baptist denominations.
According to the 2011 Census, Hindus are the largest religious minority group in the State with a population of 11.52%, while the indigenous faith believers number about 8.7%. The indigenous faiths are Songsarek of the Garo, Niam Khasi and Niam Tynrai of the Khasi, and Niamtre of the Jaintia people.
Hearing a public interest litigation filed by the Seng Khasi Hima Crematorium on July 30, the court said: '…The Hindu, Khasi, and Jaintia communities cremate their dead. But there is a division between the Hindus and Khasi-Jaintia regarding the sharing of crematoria. The Khasi and Jaintia communities want separate crematoria for themselves.'
The court observed that one Christian order does not usually permit the dead from another denomination to be buried in its cemetery, although the dearth of space necessitated common public burial grounds.
The judges stated that an amicus curiae was appointed earlier to sit with all stakeholders, including the government and public officials, to resolve such issues. Citing an order dated July 7, they stated that the State's Chief Secretary was directed to form a committee comprising key stakeholders to facilitate a settlement between the Hindus, Khasis, and Jaintias, as well as members of the Christian denominations.
'We also directed that an acquisition of land drive may be undertaken to set up common cemeteries for members of various denominations of the Christian faith,' the court said.
N. Syngkon, the amicus curiae, told the court that some members of the Hindu, Khasi, and Jaintia communities have agreed to share a common cremation ground. He underlined the possibility of persuading the others to follow suit.
The court directed the committee to hold additional meetings with stakeholders for a conclusive decision or consider acquiring land for a common cremation ground. It asked the amicus curiae to file a short report on the development on August 14, the next date of hearing.